My first Japanese; a T99 short rifle with a twist...

[majspud]

I'm new to Japanese rifles, as the bulk of my collection is German and American. I've started type collecting and I filled the Japanese slot in my collection Sunday night off Gunbroker. Here is a totally matching Toyo Kogyo Series 31 Type 99 short rifle. With a serial number of 81350, I assume it was made in late '42 to early '43 as monopods were deleted in mid-'43; correct me if I'm wrong. This rifle is in excellent condition with all the toys; full mum, AA sights, monopod, and cleaning rod. The sling and muzzle cover were not included in the auction; I've ordered a reproduction rubberized canvas sling for it.

The twist is that this one has been converted to 30-06; the question is by whom? From what I've read before buying it, I think this is not a US Military conversion in Tokyo, in that it is lacking the 'US Cal 30' stamping and the receiver is not notched. I've been told it's Korean; I've read the Thais converted a bunch. It could also be a stateside conversion from a bring back - no import marks. What say you?

These are the seller's pics. I'll post mine when it gets here with an eventual range report. I don't have to worry about ammo - just get it by the case from CMP!

Thanks for the look.

T

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[Salt Flat]

Majspud, Interesting. Could be an arsenal conversion as those done in the basement were usually crudely sporterized. I wonder if the dual point symbol right after "30-06" was stamped at the time of conversion and if so what does it signify? I have a similar 30-06 but the stock has been cut. I would be curious as to what kind of groups you achieve when you get to shooting it. I haven't shot mine yet (just a couple of test rounds remotely). It has good headspace and the cases swelled very little. I have no fear of firing it, just showing up at the range with it! Salt Flat

[browningautorifle]

So...they just ran a .30 cal chamber ream in?

[Salt Flat]

So...they just ran a .30 cal chamber ream in?

Yes, also the feed rails on the ones I've seen were opened up a little to accomodate the larger cartridges. --Majspud, Please look at your feed rails and see if they have been opened up. Also when aquiring any T99 check before firing to see if they were converted to 30-06. MANY were converted by Bubba but he often failed to stamp the new caliber on the barrel! Salt Flat

[majspud]

5mm ream to the chamber to accept the 7.62x63 versus the 7.7x58. Bullet is a little undersized at .308 versus .311, causing the accuracy drop off after 100 yards.

From Wikipedia:

"During the Korean War, approximately 126,500 short and 6,650 long Type 99 Rifles were re-chambered under American supervision at the Tokyo arsenal to fire the then-standard .30-06 Springfield cartridge. Apparently intended for the South Korean gendarme, few rifles appear to have been issued at the end of the war in 1953. These rifles were fitted with a lengthened magazine well and had a small notch cut in the top of the receiver to accommodate the .30-06 round's 1/3 inch greater length. Accuracy suffered, due to the difference in cartridges, rifling rate and characteristics, but they were nonetheless functional."

T

[WarPig1976]

I don't see the notch? How about the magazine conversion?

[majspud]

I didn't see those either. Today I did snag an early/mid war 7.7 barrel in excellent shape if I decided down the road to put it back into original configuration.

T